with deals to be had on pontiacs, wanting a commodore or falcon since i visited australia 5 years ago and talking about it since it was announced years ago, all of the positive reviews the G8 has received, hopes of a manual version vanishing with pontiac, and not being super thrilled with the 3 (it's not bad, just not great) i decided the G8 was worth a test drive. my biggest concern was of course the transmission (i have never owned an automatic nor have i particularly liked any autos i've ever driven) and i did not think a trip around the block typical test drive would do it justice so i asked about a 24 hour test drive. because it was a "performance car" (i don't know if i agree with that term but whatever) they wouldn't let me take it overnight but BJ on here who works at the local dealer was able to convince them to let me take it for a day. the model i had i believe had the premium and the sport packages. that was good because i would have the opportunity to drive it like i normally would since i had to work.
so after a day with the car, the good:
handling - it corners well, feels very tight, and feels like a much smaller car than it actually is
power - it's an LS3. there's plenty of power. it gets up and moves without any complaining
interior - i really liked the interior. the seats had the red inserts, the gauges had red rings in the middle, the driver information center thing in the gauges was nice, and the blaupunkt stereo was pretty nice with the LCD in it. you would think they would do more with the LCD but at least what they did with it made it look pretty
practicality - it's a big 4 door car with enough trunk space for a few dead hookers. i would imagine child seats would have no problem in the back seats nor would a 6'+ person
the not so good:
automatic transmission - even though it's a "good" auto it's still not a manual. you're disconnected from the car and what it's doing. take your foot off the gas and the car doesn't slow down like a manual. push your foot down and the car doesn't go like a manual, especially if you still have it in one of the auto modes where like any auto it first tries to go, then realizes it can't, then downshifts, then you get to go. for a normal person or if you wanted to drag the car the auto is great. for an enthusiast it kinda negates all of the car's positives. a car that comes with the power and handling that an enthusiast would appreciate should also come with a transmission for them
sound - it's quiet. there's an LS3 under the hood and it's quiet. why?
both of these negative points show the contradiction that is the G8. it's something that enthusiasts should love. it handles well, has great power, and looks pretty good with it's giant bulging fenders. however pontiac clearly had someone else in mind when they built the car since they only offered it with an auto and i think stole the exhaust from a cadillac. as good as the car is i can definitely understand why it hasn't sold well. its positive points normal people don't care a whole lot about, and its negatives turn enthusiasts off. that makes the people who it actually appeals to a pretty small demographic
so to sum it up the G8 GT is undoubtedly the best pontiac i have ever been around. i haven't really driven many because for the last 20+ years they are some of the worst cars that have been produced and i avoid driving them at all costs. i have continually checked them out though and have to say this car is in another league. however i won't be purchasing one because the car only has about 75% of what i am looking for in a car. it's definitely a good car and worth checking out if you're shopping around but it's not for me. i'm keeping an eye out for a used manual G8 GXP or a 2004-2006 CTS-V to come around for a good price.
so after a day with the car, the good:
handling - it corners well, feels very tight, and feels like a much smaller car than it actually is
power - it's an LS3. there's plenty of power. it gets up and moves without any complaining
interior - i really liked the interior. the seats had the red inserts, the gauges had red rings in the middle, the driver information center thing in the gauges was nice, and the blaupunkt stereo was pretty nice with the LCD in it. you would think they would do more with the LCD but at least what they did with it made it look pretty
practicality - it's a big 4 door car with enough trunk space for a few dead hookers. i would imagine child seats would have no problem in the back seats nor would a 6'+ person
the not so good:
automatic transmission - even though it's a "good" auto it's still not a manual. you're disconnected from the car and what it's doing. take your foot off the gas and the car doesn't slow down like a manual. push your foot down and the car doesn't go like a manual, especially if you still have it in one of the auto modes where like any auto it first tries to go, then realizes it can't, then downshifts, then you get to go. for a normal person or if you wanted to drag the car the auto is great. for an enthusiast it kinda negates all of the car's positives. a car that comes with the power and handling that an enthusiast would appreciate should also come with a transmission for them
sound - it's quiet. there's an LS3 under the hood and it's quiet. why?
both of these negative points show the contradiction that is the G8. it's something that enthusiasts should love. it handles well, has great power, and looks pretty good with it's giant bulging fenders. however pontiac clearly had someone else in mind when they built the car since they only offered it with an auto and i think stole the exhaust from a cadillac. as good as the car is i can definitely understand why it hasn't sold well. its positive points normal people don't care a whole lot about, and its negatives turn enthusiasts off. that makes the people who it actually appeals to a pretty small demographic
so to sum it up the G8 GT is undoubtedly the best pontiac i have ever been around. i haven't really driven many because for the last 20+ years they are some of the worst cars that have been produced and i avoid driving them at all costs. i have continually checked them out though and have to say this car is in another league. however i won't be purchasing one because the car only has about 75% of what i am looking for in a car. it's definitely a good car and worth checking out if you're shopping around but it's not for me. i'm keeping an eye out for a used manual G8 GXP or a 2004-2006 CTS-V to come around for a good price.
